North States - Superyard XT Portable Playard or Midwest Dog Exercise Pen

[aatx]

For 25 bantam chicks that I'll get in a month or two.

Will do something temporary for them the first week inside, probably out of cardboard, but then will want them in the garage for a few weeks before moving to the coop where they will be penned up for a few weeks. (In Texas and can run an extension cord to both outdoor locations pretty easily if the weather isn't warm enough by that time.)

I've seen both of these products mentioned some here, but not too much.

First option is the North States - Superyard XT Portable Playard ($59). Can add the extension kit and get both for $70.
26" high, 6 panel pen is 18.6 sq ft, 8 panel pen (with extensions) is 34.4 sq ft. (which actually seems a bit high).

http://www.walmart.com/ip/North-Sta...bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

http://www.walmart.com/ip/North-Sta...bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

http://www.walmart.com/ip/North-Sta...bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

Second option is a dog exercise pen. Midwest is the brand I've seen linked. To compare sizes as close as possible, they have a 24" tall and a 30" tall model.
24" tall (8 panels that are 24" wide, so about 16 sq ft) is $46
30" tall is $40
http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Black...d=1396035572&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+exercise+pen

Obviously the dog exercise pen is cheaper, but it also doesn't seem as sturdy when used indoors. Would it hold up to haveing some netting on top? Also, baby yard has smaller holes. (diamonds are 1.5" tall by 1.25" wide) Dog pen looks to be around 1.5" wide by a few inches tall.

Any thoughts?

 

[Tappy4me]

Would think it would be fine. I have the North Gate pen plus the extension for my 24 chicks (12 Buff Orps, 6 Silver Laced Wyandottes and 6 Easter Eggers). It seems to be a good amount of space for them. The SLWs are almost 4 weeks old now.



I started with a small brooder that Southern States sells, but they outgrew it QUICK, would not have been big enough for more than 10 chicks for a long length of time. We just expanded ours from the 6 panel-which they were in for several weeks, and they are loving the extra space.

This was it prior to expansion:

 

[aatx]

Would think it would be fine. I have the North Gate pen plus the extension for my 24 chicks (12 Buff Orps, 6 Silver Laced Wyandottes and 6 Easter Eggers). It seems to be a good amount of space for them. The SLWs are almost 4 weeks old now.



I started with a small brooder that Southern States sells, but they outgrew it QUICK, would not have been big enough for more than 10 chicks for a long length of time. We just expanded ours from the 6 panel-which they were in for several weeks, and they are loving the extra space.

This was it prior to expansion:

Thanks. I remember seeing your photos in the big brooder pen. What are you covering it with?

 

[Tappy4me]

Thanks. I remember seeing your photos in the big brooder pen. What are you covering it with?

It's some plastic chicken netting that Lowe's carries. We have it attached with zip ties for the more permanent sections, and the side I want to be able to roll from is attached with Twist ties.

Couldn't find it on Lowe's website, but it's this fence: Tenax 3 ft. x 25 ft. Green Poultry Hex Fence. Highly recommend putting a 2x4 across the center like I have for support of the netting. A yard stick worked well for when it was just the smaller 6 panel size.

 

[aatx]

Thanks!

 

[Tappy4me]

My pleasure!

Oh, and this pen is pretty sturdy too. Definitely is worth the 65 bucks to purchase.